Doha, 17 January 2015: The Social Development Center (SDC), a member of Qatar Foundation for Social Action, has announced that they received 67 applications for its third edition of Reyada - the Qatari Entrepreneur Awards. The deadline for accepting applications ended on the 28th of December, 2014 and preparations for the evaluation of submitted applications have started. This will be carried out by a judges' panel that constitutes 14 individuals representing the entrepreneurial sector in Qatar and who are not affiliated to SDC. 

The awards are open to Qatari male and female entrepreneurs who have new project plans or existing start-ups as well as institutions that provide entrepreneurs with ongoing support. Winners will be announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony that is set to be held in March 2015.

The Reyada Awards was launched by SDC in 2011 as a leading program to encourage entrepreneurship startups and scaled up ventures in the State of Qatar. The awards were designed to celebrate the owners of pilot projects in Qatar and its supporting actors through recognition and monetary rewards. Through this initiative, SDC aims to encourage people to take initiative and develop entrepreneurial skills and competencies, in addition to enhancing the business environment in Qatar.

Commenting on the occasion, Munther Al Dawood, Projects & Investment Manager at Social Development Center said, "The quality of applications and projects have improved this year, which reflects the strength and competitiveness of this year's awards compared to the previous two editions. This year, Reyada was also promoted through social media, which saw excellent turnout by the ambitious Qatari youth. The motivation and support given to participants in previous years has positioned the awards as a leading entrepreneurship program in Qatar. As a result, Reyada has attracted entrepreneurs to nominate promising projects that will contribute to the economic diversification we aspire to achieve and promote a business /entrepreneurship environment in the country ".

The Reyada Awards are divided into three different categories that comprise the New Venture Challenge Award recognising distinctive and advanced business ideas, whether already implemented or still in the ideation phase; the Entrepreneur Achiever Award which rewards leading entrepreneurs who have succeeded in the development of small and medium-sized businesses, , which contribute to the achievement of the national 2030 vision of Qatar; and the Outstanding Entrepreneurial Support Award which celebrates the best community support for entrepreneurship, designed to recognize companies and individuals who provide significant support to the owners of pilot projects and contribute to national development.

Reyada aims to be transparent throughout all levels of the awards program. The winners are selected through strict criteria and Reyada is known for its integrity and fairness. The judges are experienced entrepreneurship leaders and are interested in the development of the entrepreneurial sector. The evaluation sessions held by them will be documented and aired during the public ceremony.

Hamad Al Safar, Head of Entrepreneurship Support Section said, "Since its inception, SDC played a vital role in developing the Qatari economy through planting the spirit of initiative and opening opportunities for ambitious young people through a comprehensive package of training and development programs. We are very excited to recognize and reward entrepreneurs and institutions supporting them. We feel very proud when the winners see their ideas come to life through financial reward and training, especially those aspiring participants who took part in other development programs at SDC such as "Tanmiya" or "Rasameel" to crystallize a unique concept of a promising project. "

Reyada is the leading entrepreneurship awards program in Qatar. The award has been designed to honor Qatari entrepreneurs, as well as individuals and organizations that support entrepreneurial ventures.

© Press Release 2015